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Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017Thu, 14 Dec 2017 03:02:59 GMT2017-12-14T03:02:59Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
Wales’ Six Nations hopes hit by Taulupe Faletau’s knee injuryhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/12/wales-six-nations-taulupe-faletau-injury
• Faletau likely to miss three or four months after knee ligament injury<br />• Joins fellow back-rower Warburton in treatment room for tournament<p>Wales will be without two of their Lions Test back-rowers for the Six Nations after the Bath No8, Taulupe Faletau, joined Sam Warburton on the injury list.</p><p>Warburton, the Lions captain on their past two tours, is unlikely to play this season because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/12/wales-sam-warburton-miss-autumn-rugby-union-internationals-neck-injury" title="">of neck</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/08/sam-warburton-to-miss-six-nations-after-knee-surgery" title="">knee problems</a> while Faletau suffered knee ligament damage during <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/09/toulon-bath-european-champions-cup-match-report" title="">Bath’s European Champions Cup defeat at Toulon </a>last Saturday.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/12/jim-mallinder-sacked-director-of-rugby-union-northampton-saints">Jim Mallinder sacked as director of rugby at Northampton Saints</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/12/wales-six-nations-taulupe-faletau-injury">Continue reading...</a>Wales rugby union teamRugby unionSportSix NationsSix Nations 2017BathTue, 12 Dec 2017 17:23:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/12/wales-six-nations-taulupe-faletau-injuryPhotograph: Kevin Barnes - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty ImagesPhotograph: Kevin Barnes - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty ImagesPaul Rees2017-12-12T17:23:47ZSam Warburton to miss Wales’s Six Nations campaign after knee surgeryhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/08/sam-warburton-to-miss-six-nations-after-knee-surgery
• Lions captain has ‘proactive’ procedure and will be sidelined for rest of season<br />• Semesa Rokoduguni a doubt for England as Bath confirm shoulder operation<p>Sam Warburton has been ruled out of Wales’s Six Nations campaign after having knee surgery that will keep the Lions captain out of the game for up to six months.</p><p>Warburton, Wales and the Cardiff Blues decided the flanker should have surgery while he was already<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/12/wales-sam-warburton-miss-autumn-rugby-union-internationals-neck-injury" title=""> sidelined with a neck problem</a>. The move will mean he misses the rest of the season.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/12/wales-sam-warburton-miss-autumn-rugby-union-internationals-neck-injury">Wales’s Sam Warburton to miss autumn internationals with neck injury</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/08/sam-warburton-to-miss-six-nations-after-knee-surgery">Continue reading...</a>Sam WarburtonWales rugby union teamCardiff BluesSix NationsRugby unionSportEngland rugby union teamFri, 08 Dec 2017 17:56:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/08/sam-warburton-to-miss-six-nations-after-knee-surgeryPhotograph: Huw Evans/REX/ShutterstockPhotograph: Huw Evans/REX/ShutterstockGerard Meagher2017-12-08T17:56:00ZEngland’s Ellis Genge to miss start of Six Nations after shoulder surgeryhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/06/england-ellis-genge-miss-start-six-nations-shoulder-surgery
• Leicester prop damaged shoulder against Wasps<br />• Genge blow deprives Eddie Jones of another England player<p>Ellis Genge is set to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/05/maro-itoje-saracens-broken-jaw-england" title="">miss the start</a> of England’s Six Nations campaign after Leicester confirmed the loosehead prop requires shoulder surgery and will be out of action for two months.</p><p>Genge was injured during <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/02/wasps-leicester-premiership-match-report" title="">Leicester’s defeat by Wasps</a> last Saturday and scans revealed the need for an operation. It is a considerable setback for Genge, who made his third start for England against Samoa the week before, and for Eddie Jones, who has targeted a record-breaking third consecutive Six Nations title.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/02/wasps-leicester-premiership-match-report">Wasps’ Nizaam Carr makes the difference in epic battle with Leicester</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/06/england-ellis-genge-miss-start-six-nations-shoulder-surgery">Continue reading...</a>England rugby union teamLeicesterSix NationsRugby unionSportWed, 06 Dec 2017 21:59:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/06/england-ellis-genge-miss-start-six-nations-shoulder-surgeryPhotograph: David Rogers - RFU/(Credit too long, see caption)Photograph: David Rogers - RFU/(Credit too long, see caption)Gerard Meagher2017-12-06T21:59:28ZMaro Itoje a doubt for start of Six Nations after suffering broken jawhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/05/maro-itoje-saracens-broken-jaw-england
• Saracens forward will see specialist after injury during defeat to Harlequins<br />• Leicester’s Matt O’Connor says Manu Tuilagi can put injuries behind him<p>Maro Itoje is a doubt for the start of England’s Six Nations campaign after Saracens confirmed he suffered a broken jaw during the club’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/03/harlequins-saracens-premiership-match-report" title="">20-19 defeat by Harlequins</a> last Sunday.</p><p>Itoje left the field early in the second half with blood pouring from his mouth and was taken to hospital where scans have revealed a fracture. England begin the defence of their Six Nations title away to Italy on 4 February and the top-end of the recovery timeframe for a broken jaw can be up to 10 weeks. Itoje’s England team-mate Anthony Watson spent two months on the sidelines <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/06/anthony-watson-out-of-england-autumn-internationals-with-broken-jaw-bath-rugby-union" title="">with a similar injury</a> last autumn.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/04/richmond-part-time-rugby-union-championship-doncaster">Richmond show part-time may be the way forward for Championship teams | Robert Kitson</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/05/maro-itoje-saracens-broken-jaw-england">Continue reading...</a>Maro ItojeSaracensEngland rugby union teamSix NationsRugby unionSportManu TuilagiLeicesterTue, 05 Dec 2017 11:55:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/05/maro-itoje-saracens-broken-jaw-englandPhotograph: Matthew Impey/REX/ShutterstockPhotograph: Matthew Impey/REX/ShutterstockGerard Meagher and Robert Kitson2017-12-05T11:55:55ZCould Saracens win the Six Nations if they were allowed to enter it? | Robert Kitsonhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/oct/17/could-saracens-win-six-nations-rugby-union
If you took the Saracens players out of their national sides and put the team in the Six Nations, their hammering of Northampton suggests they could win it<p>Awaiting its UK cinema release next month is the Battle of the Sexes, the film based around the famous 1970s tennis duel between Billie Jean King and her male opponent, Bobby Riggs. It is a game, set and match tale of casual assumptions and punctured egos that should also serve as a reminder to all sports that traditional supremacy is neither a God-given prerogative nor a permanent state.</p><p>Billie Jean has not been spotted at many Saracens fixtures but she would have appreciated the debate that has surfaced in the wake of Sunday’s Champions Cup thrashing of Northampton. It is a simple enough question: if Saracens entered the Six Nations, would they win it? The answer, on the evidence of their halo-trashing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/oct/15/northampton-saracens-european-rugby-champions-cup-match-report" title="">eight-try win over Saints</a> at Franklin’s Gardens, is probably yes.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/oct/16/henry-fraser-accident-paralysed-rugby-saracens-art">Henry Fraser: ‘There were so many moments before my accident I took for granted’</a> </p><p>Should Eddie Jones pick as many eligible Saracens as possible in his autumn international squad?</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/oct/16/warren-gatland-sniping-lions-flanker-sean-obrien">Warren Gatland hits back at sniping from his Lions flanker Sean O’Brien</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/oct/17/could-saracens-win-six-nations-rugby-union">Continue reading...</a>SaracensEngland rugby union teamSix NationsRugby unionSportTue, 17 Oct 2017 08:47:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/oct/17/could-saracens-win-six-nations-rugby-unionPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesRobert Kitson2017-10-17T08:47:44ZSix Nations sets tight deadline after struggling to find new sponsor for 2018https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/23/six-nations-deadline-new-sponsor-2018
• Executives given until end of September to find replacement for RBS<br />• Brexit uncertainty is a factor in failure to match £11m-a-year deal<p>Six Nations executives have been given until the end of the month to find new sponsors for the biggest annual tournament in world rugby after struggling to find a replacement for RBS, which ended its backing last season after 14 years.</p><p>The Six Nations had been looking for a six-year, £100m deal, but having spent the past 12 months talking to a number of potential backers, there is only one firm offer on the table. That is understood to be less than the £11m a year paid by RBS at the end of its contract as the economic uncertainty blown up by Brexit deters sponsors.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/sep/22/eddie-jones-england-japan-2019-training-squad-autumn-internationals">Eddie Jones spells out his terms as England take first step to Japan 2019 | Robert Kitson</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/23/six-nations-deadline-new-sponsor-2018">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsRugby unionSport politicsSportSat, 23 Sep 2017 19:07:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/23/six-nations-deadline-new-sponsor-2018Photograph: David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty ImaPhotograph: David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty ImaExclusive by Paul Rees2017-09-23T19:07:00ZRFU’s attempt to reduce Six Nations to six weeks is defeatedhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/20/rfu-attempt-reduce-six-nations-six-weeks-defeated
• RFU outvoted by five to one at Six Nations board meeting<br />• Players could strike over length of season, claims their union head<p>The Rugby Football Union’s hopes of reducing the Six Nations Championship from seven weeks to six are in effect dead in the water after it emerged the governing body was outvoted five to one at a Six Nations board meeting this week.</p><p>Despite widespread opposition from a number of senior England players, the RFU had been pushing for the removal of one of the two rest weeks during the Six Nations from the 2019-20 season onwards but failed to attract any support from the other five unions at the vote.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/06/joe-marler-six-week-six-nations-proposals-ridiculous">Joe Marler says six-week Six Nations proposals are ‘ridiculous’</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/20/rfu-attempt-reduce-six-nations-six-weeks-defeated">Continue reading...</a>England rugby union teamEddie JonesRugby Football UnionFrance rugby union teamSix NationsRugby unionSportWed, 20 Sep 2017 18:56:38 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/20/rfu-attempt-reduce-six-nations-six-weeks-defeatedPhotograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty ImagesGerard Meagher2017-09-20T18:56:38ZSix Nations keeps rest weekends as 2018 and 2019 fixtures are releasedhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/16/six-nations-2018-2019-fixtures-rugby-union
• 2018 tournament closes with England v Ireland<br />• 2019 tournament concludes with Calcutta Cup battle<p>England will hope to seal a second grand Six Nations slam in three years by exacting revenge over Ireland in next year’s championship with the organisers again seeking a title showdown between the two sides on the final weekend.</p><p>On Tuesday the organisers announced the fixtures for the 2018 and 2019 championships, both of which will be seven weeks with the two fallow weekends remaining – the proposal to condense it to six weeks, which was backed by the RFU but met with widespread criticism, was for 2020 onwards in line with the new global season. A statement from the Six Nations said the 2018 and 2019 championships “will continue to see rest weeks after rounds two and three as in previous years” but gives no mention to whether the tournament will subsequently be truncated.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/16/rob-baxter-exeter-saracens-play-off-premiership">Rob Baxter hopes for flat-out Exeter performance against sturdy Saracens | Paul Rees</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/16/six-nations-2018-2019-fixtures-rugby-union">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsRugby unionSportEngland rugby union teamFrance rugby union teamWales rugby union teamItaly rugby union teamScotland rugby union teamIreland rugby union teamTue, 16 May 2017 10:21:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/16/six-nations-2018-2019-fixtures-rugby-unionPhotograph: David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty ImaPhotograph: David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty ImaGerard Meagher2017-05-16T10:21:27ZJoe Marler says six-week Six Nations proposals are ‘ridiculous’https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/06/joe-marler-six-week-six-nations-proposals-ridiculous
• England prop warns players may need to sit out summer tours<br />• ‘I can’t say I would be in favour of it. I wouldn’t like it to happen’<p>The England prop Joe Marler said proposals to reduce the length of the Six Nations to six weeks are “ridiculous” and warned that some internationals may need to sit out summer tours if the season is extended to 11 months.</p><p>The Rugby Football Union <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/24/rfu-ian-ritchie-six-nations-streamlining-scrap-rest-week" title="">has backed plans</a> to remove one of the tournament’s two rest weeks, as part of World Rugby’s new-look global calendar from 2020 but has met opposition from the Scottish and Welsh governing bodies, with player welfare among their chief concerns.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/06/fixture-crush-player-strike-action-world-rugby-the-breakdown">Fixture crush has players talking of strike action – World Rugby must step up</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/06/joe-marler-six-week-six-nations-proposals-ridiculous">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsSix Nations 2017England rugby union teamRugby unionSportThu, 06 Apr 2017 15:23:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/06/joe-marler-six-week-six-nations-proposals-ridiculousPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesGerard Meagher2017-04-06T15:23:35ZBritish & Irish Lions tours reduced to eight matches from 2021https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/27/british-irish-lions-tour-six-nations
• Unions cut tour length but resist pressure to cut schedule to seven games<br />• Six Nations bonus system among topics for review at meeting in Dublin<p>The four home unions are set to reduce the length of a Lions tour from 10 to eight matches from 2021 as part of the changes to the global calendar.</p><p>With summer tours switching from June to July from 2020, there were calls for the Lions to play only seven matches, not least from the Premiership clubs who plan to continue starting their campaigns at the beginning of September even though the club season in Europe will run to the end of June under the changes to the global calendar agreed.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/25/all-blacks-nothing-panic-about-six-nations-england-lions">All Blacks have nothing to fear, for all the fury of the Six Nations | Paul Rees</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/27/british-irish-lions-tour-six-nations">Continue reading...</a>British & Irish LionsSix NationsRugby unionSportWarren GatlandScotland rugby union teamAutumn internationalsItaly rugby union teamWales rugby union teamMon, 27 Mar 2017 16:35:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/27/british-irish-lions-tour-six-nationsPhotograph: Sheridan/INPHO/REX/ShutterstockPhotograph: Sheridan/INPHO/REX/ShutterstockPaul Rees2017-03-27T16:35:25ZAll Blacks have nothing to fear, for all the fury of the Six Nations | Paul Reeshttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/25/all-blacks-nothing-panic-about-six-nations-england-lions
England’s second title in a row said more about the weakness of the opposition in a tournament lacking the subtlety that will be needed by the Lions<p>The Six Nations is the envy of the southern hemisphere – for its licence to print money rather than the quality of the rugby it inspires. England retained the title but were written off in New Zealand as clunky musclemen who live in a cave, a view compromised by the praise then lavished on Ireland, whose record of two tries in their final three matches was hardly a testament to their perceived verve and guile.</p><p>Bonus points were trialled this year in order to, in the words of the tournament’s chairman, Pat Whelan, “materially improve what we already have and enhance the competition as a spectacle”. The system made no difference beyond providing consolation in defeat and overall the 2017 tournament was summed up in the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/feb/12/france-scotland-six-nations-match-report" title="">meeting between France and Scotland in Paris</a>, when the physical onslaught of the home side subdued opponents who had tried to dance around the ring.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/20/england-six-nations-wales-ireland-france-scotland-italy">But for one England try the Six Nations would have been a five-way tie | Andy Bull</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/20/six-nations-2017-verdict-guardian-writers-highs-and-lows">Six Nations 2017 verdict: Guardian writers choose their highs and lows</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/25/all-blacks-nothing-panic-about-six-nations-england-lions">Continue reading...</a>Six Nations 2017England rugby union teamNew Zealand rugby union teamBritish & Irish LionsWales rugby union teamScotland rugby union teamIreland rugby union teamFrance rugby union teamItaly rugby union teamSix NationsRugby unionSportSat, 25 Mar 2017 11:59:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/25/all-blacks-nothing-panic-about-six-nations-england-lionsPhotograph: David Davies/PAPhotograph: David Davies/PAPaul Rees2017-03-25T11:59:01ZRFU keen to streamline Six Nations by scrapping one of the two rest weekshttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/24/rfu-ian-ritchie-six-nations-streamlining-scrap-rest-week
• It would help with the broader narrative, says Ian Ritchie <br />• Any change to the calendar would be confirmed in May<p>The Rugby Football Union is seeking to reduce the length of the Six Nations to six weeks despite claims that the players are already at breaking point. The RFU chief executive, Ian Ritchie, also admitted he has not been consulted by England’s players about any change but insisted their welfare would not be affected by the removal of one of the two rest weeks.</p><p>“With the breaks it is good for the body,” the Harlequins prop Joe Marler said recently. “We are there or thereabouts [at] the limit of fixtures for the season.” He returns to Premiership action for his club this weekend along with 18 other members of the England squad who lost to Ireland last Saturday.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/02/rfu-fewer-tests-player-welfare-england-economic-hit">RFU wants fewer Tests but warns to do so will cause ‘economic hit’</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/24/rfu-ian-ritchie-six-nations-streamlining-scrap-rest-week">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsRugby Football UnionEngland rugby union teamRugby unionSportFri, 24 Mar 2017 22:00:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/24/rfu-ian-ritchie-six-nations-streamlining-scrap-rest-weekPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesGerard Meagher2017-03-24T22:00:44ZFrance’s Romain Poite to take charge of final Lions Test in New Zealandhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/23/stuart-hogg-six-nations-player-of-year-scotland
• Frenchmen to take charge of two of the three Tests with All Blacks<br />• Scotland’s Stuart Hogg named Six Nations player of year for second time<p>Romain Poite will take charge of the final Test between New Zealand and the Lions in July, an appointment the tourists hope will be an omen. The Frenchman refereed the third and deciding match in Australia four years ago which Warren Gatland’s men won decisively 41‑16 to clinch the series.</p><p>Two of the Tests in 2013 were controlled by officials from the southern hemisphere but this summer two will have a Frenchman holding the whistle, as was the case in Australia in 1989 when René Hourquet was given the final two Tests which the Lions won to take the series 2-1.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/feb/06/stuart-hogg-jonny-gray-fire-up-scotland-stake-lions-claim-ireland-six-nations">Stuart Hogg and Jonny Gray fire up Scotland and stake Lions claim</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/23/stuart-hogg-six-nations-player-of-year-scotland">Continue reading...</a>British & Irish LionsSix Nations 2017Scotland rugby union teamGloucesterNew Zealand rugby union teamRugby unionSix NationsBristolSportThu, 23 Mar 2017 13:45:51 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/23/stuart-hogg-six-nations-player-of-year-scotlandPhotograph: Iroz Gaizka/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Iroz Gaizka/AFP/Getty ImagesPaul Rees2017-03-23T13:45:51ZSix Nations 2017 verdict: Guardian writers choose their highs and lowshttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/20/six-nations-2017-verdict-guardian-writers-highs-and-lows
<p>From Michele Campagnaro’s solo try against England to Leigh Halfpenny’s performances, here are the highlights and lowlights from 2017’s tournament</p><p>Louis Picamoles and Sam Warburton have both been consistently influential but the all-round excellence of <strong>Joe Launchbury</strong> was central to England’s title effort. <strong>Robert Kitson</strong></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/19/england-new-zealand-cyprus-rugby-world-record">Bravo England on 18 in a row but Cyprus beat rats, kicks and punches for 24 | Simon Burnton</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/feb/11/wales-superb-but-pay-price-elliot-daly-moment-of-brilliance">Wales superb but pay price for Elliot Daly’s moment of brilliance | Michael Aylwin</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/feb/03/georgia-six-nations-milton-haig">Georgia on the mind but unable to break into Six Nations elite | Michael Aylwin</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/09/england-scotland-lions-new-zealand-all-blacks">What the All Blacks will have learned about Lions from this Six Nations so far | Paul Rees</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/19/france-prevail-wales-dark-arts-bloodgate-reminder-guy-noves-george-north">France’s prevailing dark arts against Wales offer rugby bloodgate reminder | Michael Aylwin</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/20/six-nations-2017-verdict-guardian-writers-highs-and-lows">Continue reading...</a>Six Nations 2017England rugby union teamScotland rugby union teamItaly rugby union teamIreland rugby union teamWales rugby union teamFrance rugby union teamRugby unionSix NationsSportMon, 20 Mar 2017 13:00:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/20/six-nations-2017-verdict-guardian-writers-highs-and-lowsComposite: Rex features/Getty ImagesComposite: Rex features/Getty ImagesGuardian sport2017-03-20T13:00:37ZBut for one England try the Six Nations would have been a five-way tie | Andy Bullhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/20/england-six-nations-wales-ireland-france-scotland-italy
It was a tournament to savour, with the standard of play and level of ferocity increasing, but unfortunately the Italians are being left behind<p>Come Monday morning the players will be back at work with their clubs, getting ready for the next round of league fixtures.</p><p>Their schedules leave them precious little time to heal their wounds, even less to rest and reflect on what has gone on these past few weeks. Rugby has never been an easy living but in this Six Nations some of the Tests, especially the three between England, Ireland and Wales, were so ferocious that watching them felt a guilty pleasure.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/new-zealand-media-react-england-loss-ireland">New Zealand media on England loss: ‘Stuffed plastic bags in need of a trolley’ </a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/18/emerald-flytrap-shuts-on-england-again-six-nations-ireland">Emerald flytrap shuts on England once again in Six Nations | Robert Kitson</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/20/england-six-nations-wales-ireland-france-scotland-italy">Continue reading...</a>Six Nations 2017England rugby union teamIreland rugby union teamFrance rugby union teamScotland rugby union teamItaly rugby union teamWales rugby union teamSix NationsRugby unionSportMon, 20 Mar 2017 10:15:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/20/england-six-nations-wales-ireland-france-scotland-italyPhotograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesAndy Bull2017-03-20T10:15:34ZNew Zealand media on England loss: ‘Stuffed plastic bags in need of a trolley’https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/new-zealand-media-react-england-loss-ireland
The two sides’ winning sequence battle has ended in a draw with some claiming it is in fact Ireland who are the All Blacks’ closest challengers<p>Eddie Jones has a habit of being at his most honest straight after matches. After England’s victory over Italy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/feb/26/england-suggest-italys-no-ruck-innovation-could-kill-rugby-union" title="">he was not playing ball</a> but a better example was when, after beating Wales, he made his true feelings known about the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/feb/11/eddie-jones-england-wales-six-nations" title="">Principality Stadium roof controversy</a>, saying rugby union is “a winter sport”.</p><p>Jones is also always at pains to protect his players so, when he talked on Saturday evening of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/18/ireland-england-six-nations-championship-eddie-jones" title="">how keen England were to face New Zealand</a> later this year, it felt like an obvious way to deflect from being outfought and out-thought by Ireland – even though there was no doubt some truth in it.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/19/england-new-zealand-cyprus-rugby-world-record">Bravo England on 18 in a row but Cyprus beat rats, kicks and punches for 24 | Simon Burnton</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/12/new-zealand-reaction-england-record">‘Congratulations England’: reading between the lines in New Zealand</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/new-zealand-media-react-england-loss-ireland">Continue reading...</a>England rugby union teamNew Zealand rugby union teamRugby unionEddie JonesSix NationsSix Nations 2017Ireland rugby union teamSportSun, 19 Mar 2017 22:24:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/new-zealand-media-react-england-loss-irelandPhotograph: David Rogers/RFU Collection via Getty ImagesPhotograph: David Rogers/RFU Collection via Getty ImagesGerard Meagher2017-03-19T22:24:00ZGregor Townsend will boost Scotland’s expansive game, says Stuart Hogghttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/gregor-townsend-scotland-expansive-game-stuart-hogg-vern-cotter-rugby-union
• Full-back sure style favoured by Vern Cotter will continue under new coach <br />• ‘It’s exciting times for Scottish rugby,’ says Hogg<p>Stuart Hogg paid a glowing tribute to the departing head coach, Vern Cotter, but believes his replacement, Gregor Townsend, can continue Scotland’s upward trajectory after a Six Nations campaign that featured three victories for the first time in more than a decade.</p><p>Townsend takes over at the end of the season in a change that has looked increasingly surprising as the Six Nations has progressed with the New Zealander, now moving to Montpellier, signing off as the only Scotland coach of the professional era with a win ratio better than 50%.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/18/scotland-italy-six-nations-match-report">Scotland send Vern Cotter off on a high note with easy win over Italy</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/gregor-townsend-scotland-expansive-game-stuart-hogg-vern-cotter-rugby-union">Continue reading...</a>Scotland rugby union teamSix Nations 2017Six NationsRugby unionSportSun, 19 Mar 2017 22:13:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/gregor-townsend-scotland-expansive-game-stuart-hogg-vern-cotter-rugby-unionPhotograph: Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesGerard Meagher at Murrayfield2017-03-19T22:13:00ZEngland’s defeat by Ireland a necessary wake-up call for Eddie Joneshttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/england-defeat-welcome-wakeup-call-eddie-jones
There is no shame in losing 13-9 to Ireland but, regardless of the tricky conditions, England also made a major contribution to their own downfall<p>In 30 years’ time most people looking at the 2017 Six Nations table will assume England enjoyed a truly golden season. Dylan Hartley’s team retained their title, finished the tournament with their second-highest haul of tries since 2004 and equalled the world record for successive major Test victories. The squad is still mostly young and only New Zealand are placed above them in the world rankings.</p><p>Those with longer memories, though, will not forget the hefty dose of perspective <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/18/ireland-england-six-nations-match-report" title="">dished out by Ireland</a> on the concluding weekend in a contest that left numerous uneasy questions hanging in the drizzly Dublin air.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/18/ireland-england-six-nations-match-report">England pursuit of grand slam and record foiled by defiant Ireland</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/18/england-finishers-ireland-unyielding-johnny-sexton-rugby-union">England finishers hit endgame against Ireland’s unyielding Johnny Sexton | Andy Bull</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/ireland-england-six-nations-players-rated">Ireland 13-9 England: how the Six Nations players in Dublin rated</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/england-defeat-welcome-wakeup-call-eddie-jones">Continue reading...</a>Six Nations 2017England rugby union teamEddie JonesDylan HartleyIreland rugby union teamSix NationsRugby unionSportSun, 19 Mar 2017 22:00:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/england-defeat-welcome-wakeup-call-eddie-jonesPhotograph: David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty ImaPhotograph: David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty ImaRobert Kitson2017-03-19T22:00:19ZBravo England on 18 in a row but Cyprus beat rats, kicks and punches for 24 | Simon Burntonhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/19/england-new-zealand-cyprus-rugby-world-record
England may have felt aggrieved at missing out on topping New Zealand’s 18 consecutive wins, but they would still have been five behind the mighty Mouflons<p>The report on the official website of the Cyprus Rugby Federation of the team’s resounding victory over Azerbaijan in 2008 makes for interesting reading. Among the indignities endured by the travelling team in Baku were “two hours at immigration awaiting entry visas, four hours’ sleep, poor accommodation and no real food”, singing their anthem “to the bemusement of the opposition”, who didn’t bother with their own, their flanker having “his cheekbone smashed by a stray elbow” – “his assailant went unnoticed”, it is noted, while the victim “will require surgery to correct his smashed face” – and “a cowardly attack” on one of their props that “saw him being kicked, punched and pushed”. In the accompanying photograph the team is pictured upon a field that boasts only a passing acquaintance with grass.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/18/ireland-england-six-nations-championship-eddie-jones">Eddie Jones: ‘We were just not good enough – we still have a lot to do’</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/new-zealand-media-react-england-loss-ireland">New Zealand media on England loss: ‘Stuffed plastic bags in need of a trolley’ </a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/19/england-new-zealand-cyprus-rugby-world-record">Continue reading...</a>Rugby unionEngland rugby union teamNew Zealand rugby union teamIreland rugby union teamSix Nations 2017Six NationsSportSun, 19 Mar 2017 14:52:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/19/england-new-zealand-cyprus-rugby-world-recordPhotograph: David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty ImaPhotograph: David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty ImaSimon Burnton2017-03-19T14:52:39ZFrance’s prevailing dark arts against Wales offer rugby bloodgate reminder | Michael Aylwinhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/19/france-prevail-wales-dark-arts-bloodgate-reminder-guy-noves-george-north
France engineered a 20-18 victory in Paris but at what price when considering the livid bite mark on the left arm of Wales’ George North?<p>We could have another bloodgate on our hands. Whether one believes Dean Richards’s misdemeanour was the vilest crime perpetrated against a trusting world or just another storm in a teacup, the fact is it came with a three-year ban – and there is little to distinguish it from the manoeuvre France appear to have engineered in Paris. What is more, unlike Harlequins’ fast one, France’s worked in the most dramatic of circumstances.</p><p>Damien Chouly’s try, at the end of the 100th minute of a game that seemed as if it would never end, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/18/france-wales-six-nations-match-report" title="">secured France the win that clinches their first finish in the top three of the Six Nations since 2011.</a> But the method by which they secured it is sure to attract the attention of the folk with access-all-areas badges. And then there is the livid bite mark on the left arm of George North. That, too, is sure to be investigated.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/18/wales-rob-howley-accuses-france-six-nations">Wales coach Rob Howley accuses France of ‘undermining game’s integrity’</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/racing-92-stade-francais-merger-off-jacky-lorenzetti-rugby-union-france-paris">Racing 92 president Jacky Lorenzetti says Stade Francais merger is off</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/19/france-prevail-wales-dark-arts-bloodgate-reminder-guy-noves-george-north">Continue reading...</a>France rugby union teamWales rugby union teamSix Nations 2017Six NationsSportRugby unionSun, 19 Mar 2017 12:15:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/19/france-prevail-wales-dark-arts-bloodgate-reminder-guy-noves-george-northPhotograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty ImagesMichael Aylwin at the Stade de France2017-03-19T12:15:20Z